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1711722 tn?1356487554

Week 4.........results

Just got home from the doctor.  She went over my test results and said I am doing well on treatment.  YAAY! She also said I had a 2 log drop on treatment with the first 2 drugs (Interferon & Ribavirin), and now, with the 3rd drug (VIC), the hope is that I will do even better in 4 more weeks.

In this 4 weeks, my Viral Load went from: 10million 700thousand, to only 329thousand!!  

Thanks to my BFF (who recommended I take iron), my Hemoglobin (although it's low) has not had a major drop in 4 weeks!  We are still keeping an eye on it to gage for anemia, at which point, I go talk to the doc about possible dose reduction and/or rescue drugs.  I go back to the doc for the 8 week test results, on Halloween (I think).  Maybe I will go in costume as one of the Angry Birds.  Then I can do quite the dance when they give me more good news :)   My best to EVERYONE on this journey.  Your comments, advice and suggestions really do matter and have helped me greatly.  Blessings to you and yours......
Best Answer
Avatar universal
"In this 4 weeks, my Viral Load went from: 10million 700thousand, to only 329thousand!!"

Is that 10700000 to 329000? can-do-man is right on when he says you only need a 1 log drop"Nonetheless, the highest SVR rates were found in patients treated with a boceprevir-based regimen who experienced a ≥ 1 log decline in HCV RNA after the lead-in phase," and according to the Log Drop Calculator you have a 1.5 log which is great, hoping you go on to UND. Take care
Charlie

http://hcvsupport.org/log-drop_calculator.html
39 Responses
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190885 tn?1333025891
sounds good!  hope that hgb stays up there...billy
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am thrilled for u, a 2 log drop is beaytiful. Wishng you continued success and svr
Helpful - 0
1711722 tn?1356487554
Thanks Billy!  You know I was thinking of you and your journey, while I was talking to my doc and looking at all those numbers.

Thanks AJ!  Be sure to let me know when you get your results back too.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Since you only need at least a one log drop at week 4 things are looking good for you....... Keep up the good work.
Helpful - 0
1749655 tn?1321800934
Great news.......I'm happy for you!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Good early results! Now the  Vic will get in there and finish things up.
The next milestone is UND at week 8....hang in there and good luck..
Will
Helpful - 0
1669790 tn?1333662595
Very good news.  Congrats.

But are you continuing to take iron supplements?  My understanding is we should be avoiding iron supplements while on trt and even cooking in iron is to be avoided.  

From what I've read iron enhances virus replication in the liver, is difficult for the liver to process and diminishes the effect of interferon.  

You can do a search for iron on MedHelp and come up with a ton of responses to iron.  Maybe one of the more knowledgeble members can go into more detail to explain further and correct me if I'm off base.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/Iron/show/92479
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Very good point there flcyclist, even a muti-vitamin with iron was a big no no with my hepo.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
flcyclist is correct.You would only take an iron supplement if your iron is low. Supplementing it will do nothing to keep you from getting anemia .
Hemolytic anemia is caused by thee meds destroying red blood cells before maturity and also the suppression of the bone marrow to some degree ....hence cells are not replaced fast enough.

Diet and supplements will do nothing to keep these levels up while treating.

If levels become (<9 or 10 )only the rescue drug procrit  or possibly a Riba reduction can have the desired effect.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
sorry ..you would only take an iron supplement ..if you iron levels were low and procrit was not being effective.  was what I meant to say.
Will
Helpful - 0
1654058 tn?1407159066
Congratulations! I know you've gotta be soaring!!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Congrats! This is great news!
Helpful - 0
1652596 tn?1342011626
congrats to you!!  i'm so happy to hear your awesome news.  best wishes.  belle
Helpful - 0
1711722 tn?1356487554
Hi.  Thanks so much.  I'm gonna run it by my 'people' and see where we go from here.  My BFF is an NP and used to monitoring patients.  I will especially bring this to her attention:  "iron enhances virus replication in the liver, is difficult for the liver to process and diminishes the effect of interferon."

Can-Do-Man -- Thanks!  My doc advised "less is more", before I started.  Her training nurse advised a Multi-Vitamin (I take Alive for women).  My doc wants me to try to get iron through foods instead, so I am working on that.

Will -- Whew.  Way over my head dude.  But I will share this information, so thanks for looking out for me.
Helpful - 0
1794638 tn?1345155061
Hip Hip Horrayyy !   So happy for you,  excellent news !   Keep up the good work, looks like you have a method for getting through this nitemare.     Chin up!    Yeah !  
Helpful - 0
1711722 tn?1356487554
Can-Do-Man.......I know squat about "logs" so thanks very much for chiming in with this fact!  Makes me very happy :)

Ann61
Crossroadsec
Taccs4
Belle19

Thank you all for your kind wishes!!  My best to you as well!!
Helpful - 0
1747881 tn?1546175878
Very good news, congrats to you.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Congrats, so glad u are doing so well! Keep up the good work. My thoughts and best of wishes are sent your way. Sandi
Helpful - 0
1768199 tn?1323617936
Great news.

Sherry
Helpful - 0
1711722 tn?1356487554
Hi again,

Have a look:

http://www.ehealthme.com/Ribavirin-Pegasys-Iron-3749896

Helpful - 0
1711722 tn?1356487554
Oops!  Meant to also say thank you to.....

Livingontheedge
Hrsepwrguy
Puppyluvur
Scoleman

:o)
Helpful - 0
163305 tn?1333668571
Congratulations, keep going and you'll be SVR soon!!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
great news!  
Helpful - 0
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